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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Dandelion Root Chai Tea

I'm so excited to share this dandelion root chai tea recipe with you today! It makes a great coffee substitute for those of you who are trying to reduce caffeine intake. I don't know about you, but I just love warm spicy drinks like chai tea, especially in the wintertime. I prefer to make my own because coffee shop chai is usually far too sweet for me. I've been working on perfecting a chai tea recipe for some time now. Yesterday I was inspired to add dandelion root to my recipe after reading this article on the amazing cancer-fighting effects from consuming dandelion root extract.

Dandelion root tea is earthy and slightly bitter. It's excellent for assisting the liver with detoxification as well as being stimulating to the digestive system. Chai spices are warming and also stimulate digestion. You are welcome to play around with this recipe and add other spices such as fennel seeds, nutmeg, star anise, or black tea leaves. Additionally, if you are sensitive to the bitter flavor or are unaccustomed to the flavor of dandelion root, you may consider starting with 1 or 2 teaspoons instead of a tablespoon.

Dandelion Root Chai Tea

This recipe makes a small batch of about one quart. I need to double it for my family. You can find dried dandelion root and the chai spices in the bulk herb section of your local health food store or herb store. Once the herbs have simmered you can add any thick, rich milk of your choice such as homemade raw almond milk, hemp milk, cashew cream, or fresh raw cream (from pastured cows). I quickly whipped up a batch of vanilla cashew milk in my Vitamix for the photos here. I usually fill 3/4 of the mug with tea and 1/4 with milk. I then stir in a small spoonful of raw honey to sweeten it. My children and I love this tea so much and I hope you do too!

Place the dandelion root and spices into a 2-quart pot and cover with the water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain into a quart jar using a fine mesh strainer. Pour into mugs, top off with milk of your choice, then sweeten to taste with raw honey. Source: www.NourishingMeals.com

About the Author

Alissa Segersten holds a Bachelor's of Science in Nutrition from Bastyr University. She is the founder of Whole Life Nutrition, the mother of five children, a whole foods cooking instructor, professional recipe developer, and cookbook author. She is passionate about helping others find a diet that will truly nourish them, and offers elimination diet recipes, healthy gluten-free recipes, paleo and vegan recipes, as well as tips for feeding your family a nourishing, whole foods diet. Alissa is the author of two very popular gluten-free, whole foods cookbooks and guidebooks: The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook and Nourishing Meals. She is also the co-author of The Elimination Diet book. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram!

i was thinking rooibos chai and accidently typed in dandelion chai, I decided to go with it anyway. this dandelion recipe is fantastic, i was able to make three batches from the same stock. delicious flavours, i added some nutmeg in.i give it a 9/10

Thanks for sharing this recipe. I recently found out the benefits of dandelion root but did not think to use it for chai masala until I read your blog. I modified your recipe a little and used milk instead of water, which makes for a creamier chai. Thanks again!

Welcome to my blog!

Hi! My name is Alissa Segersten and I've had a love of healthy food and cooking since the age of 10. I have my degree in Nutrition from Bastyr University and am the author of three {gluten-free} food and nutrition books. When I was pregnant with my first daughter in 2001, I diligently began writing down my recipes because so many people would ask for them! Some of these recipes appeared in my first book, The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook. I now have 5 children and am passionate about educating them about our food system so they can make the most informed choices as they grow up and are exposed to a world of processed, chemical-laden foods. Join me in my mission of helping to support families with nourishing meals! Read more about me here.